Gold Butte Backcountry Byway is a 99-mile scenic drive that starts near the town of Mesquite, heads south into the wild and rugged Gold Butte region, and returns to the highway. This is a partial loop adventure and can not be considered a through-route to anywhere else. The Backcountry Byway runs out in the backcountry where the scenery is grand, the expanse is vast, and the wildness is almost pristine.

The Backcountry Byway forms a partial loop, and the loop can be driven in either direction. Driving the loop as described requires only 2WD, but driving the other direction (southbound on Red Bluff Spring Road) requires climbing several steep hills that are easier with 4WD, but the road was "graded" in April 2017 and is now less difficult.

Other than the standard warnings about being in the desert, ... the byway is fairly safe and without any unusual hazards. There are a few tight, blind curves to navigate carefully, and the sand and gravel in Mud Wash could be a problem without 4WD.

This is wild and remote country without services of any kind (no restrooms, no water, no gas, no food). Bring what you need to survive. Be prepared and be self-reliant. It is a big place and someone will find you eventually if you stay on a main road, but be prepared to survive alone for a day or two, or even longer on side roads. Cell phones don't work along most of the byway.

While out, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, this is a remote area, so be sure to bring the 10 Essentials.

Interstate 15 at Highway 170 exit (view E)

Getting to Gold Butte Backcountry Byway

The Gold Butte Backcountry Byway is located out in Gold Butte northeast of Lake Mead, beginning about 1 hour northeast of Las Vegas.

From Las Vegas, drive north on Interstate-15 for about 70 miles to Highway 170 (Exit 112 to Riverside and Bunkerville). This exit is about 5 miles south of (before) Mesquite, but consider stopping in Glendale or continuing to Mesquite to top off the gas tank before leaving the highway.

The official Gold Butte Backcountry Byway starts on the I-15 off-ramp (Table 1, Site 0684).

The adventure begins as Highway 170 runs south and descends into the Virgin River Valley. The tall peak in the background is Virgin Peak (8,063 ft). The highway crosses the river, and immediately across the bridge, the unsigned Gold Butte Road (Site 0686) turns to the right.

Gold Butte Road is the gateway to the wild and rugged Gold Butte region. The first 21 miles are paved, although it is a bit rough with many potholes, a lot of patch, and two washouts. The road runs west along the river, then eventually bends south and climbs onto the flanks of Virgin Peak. Long stretches of open desert along the west side of the Virgin Mountains lead to Whitney Pocket, an historic and scenic area where people often camp among colorful red and white sandstone crags. The pavement ends (Site 0461) as drivers enter the Whitney Pocket area.

There are several major intersections, but in general, the road runs straight south and southwest for 20 miles, staying right at two major forks until reaching the historic Gold Butte Townsite at the southern-most point on the byway.

Beyond Lime Canyon Road, the byway continues north following the North Fork of Lime Wash until climbing over a saddle and descending into Gold Butte Wash. Generally following Gold Butte Wash, again between Lime Ridge and Tramp Ridge, Red Bluff Spring Road winds down the valley and past red sandstone outcrops until dropping steeply into Mud Wash. This segment ends where Red Bluff Spring Road drops into Mud Wash (Site 1685) and Mud Wash Road goes right and up the wash.

Staying on the byway, drivers stay left at all forks, but pass two short spur roads right to Devil's Throat (about 3 miles from the fork), and then arrive back at the unpaved Gold Butte Road (Site 0807).

Driving north on paved Gold Butte Road, the road eventually dead-ends onto Highway 170 (Site 0686). Drivers might want to turn right and head into Mesquite for food and fuel, otherwise, turning left, Highway 170 crosses the Virgin River and runs up the hillside to merge with Interstate-15 (Site 0684) southbound towards Las Vegas.